Screen



Nov. 4, 1941. I F. G. MJCGAW 2,261,443

SCREEN Filed Jan. 15, 1940 Patented Nov. 4, 1941 TES PATENT OFFICE SCREEN, Foster G. McGaw, Evanston, 111. Application January 15, 1940, Serial No. 313,940

3 Claims. (01. 156-39) This invention relates to a screen and more particularly to a roll screen adapted for use with windows and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a screen which may be automatically brought to position upon movement of the window. Another object is to provide means for automatically returning the screen to an enclosing housing when not in use. Still another object is to provide simple and efficient, means associated with the screen for substantially completely closing the opening made by the window., Other objects and advantages will appear from the following specification and drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the outside of a partially opened window with the screen attached; and Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 2 of Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated and described herein, a window frame I is equipped with a lower sash II carrying the window pane I2, the sash II being vertically slidable in accordance with the usual construction of Windows of this type. A second or upper sash I3, also vertically slidable in the frame II), carries the window pane I4.

On the base I5 of the frame I6, also known as the window sill, a housing I6 is supported, extending between the side members II and I8 of the frame ID. The housing I6 may be located inside the window and may be positioned on the base I5 immediately adjacent the sash II when the same is in lowered position.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the housing I6 may be of any suitable shape, for example, cylindrical, or rectangular in cross section as shown, but at any rate should be provided with a flat lower surface I9 forming a closely fitting joint with the base I5. As illustrated, the housing includes a removable covering plate 20 which, if desired, could be made integral with the rest of the housing. The housing I6 is cut away on the inner side thereof to provide an elongated lateral aperture 2| adjacent the sash II when the same is in lowered position.

A roller 22, enclosed within the housing I6 and adapted to receive a screen thereon, may be of the conventional type used for curtains, shades and the like, with the usual ratchet mechanism eliminated therefrom.

Since any suitable roller which is adapted to continuously maintain a tension on the screen may be used, it is believed unnecessary to describe this mechanism in detail. In general, the mechanism includes a roller 22 made of wood or any other suitable material. The roller 22 is rotatably mounted and is connected to a fixedly mounted rod 23 by a spring (not shown). When the roller is rotated to wind or tighten the spring, the spring will continuously urge counterrotation of the roller. This construction corresponds exactly to the conventional type of roller used with shades, curtains and the like, except that the ratchet mechanism, which prevents a continuous tension being exerted by the spring, is eliminated.

The side members I! and I8 of the frame I0 may be provided with guide channels 24 and 25, respectively, said channels being located adjacent the window sash and substantially parallel thereto. The guide channels 24 and 25 may extend from the housing I6 to the point of highest possible movement of the lower window sash II'. The guide members may consist of any suitable U-shaped or channel-shaped structure in which the lateral edges of the screen may be received.

A screen 26, composed of any flexible material such as steel or copper wire or fabric, is -attached' at one end to the roller 22 and extends through the opening 2I in the housing I6 to the lower end of the sash I I. The lateral edges of the screen may, if desired, be reinforced with beading 21, which is received within the slots of the guide channels 24 and 25. In order to provide a tight connection with the screen 26, the guide channels or portions thereof may be made of a resilient material.

The end of the screen 26, which is to be joined to the sash II, is preferably provided with a beading 28 which, if desired, may be a rigid metal structure. To the beading 28 is secured a U- shaped closure member 29, the free end of which extends downwardly. On the sash II may be mounted a U-shaped support3fl, the same being attached to the sash II by nails 3| or other suitable means. The free end of the support 30 extends upwardly and is adapted to be received within the recess of the closure member 29, thereby making a tight connection between the screen 26 and sash II.

Th housing I6 may be provided with draw members 32. and 33 extending into the housing to a point immediately adjacent the sash I I when the same is in lowered position. In the draw member 32, slots 34 and 35 permit the member to be horizontally slidable within the housing I6. On the end of the draw member 32 is mounted a laterally projecting pin 36, which is adapted to receive the closure member 29 when the same is released from the support 30.

In operation, the opening or raising of the window draws the screen from the housing I 6, with the lateral edges of the screen riding in the slots of the guide channels 24 and 25. When the window is lowered, the continuous tension on the roller 22 causes the screen to be rolled thereon within the housing I6.

When the window is completely lowered, the closure member 29 will be in the position just above the pin 36 of the draw member 32. The draw members 32 and 33, being mounted at the extreme ends of the housing on the frame memhers I! and I8, do not interfere with the movement of the screen 26. The pin 36, however, does project inwardly beneath the closure member 29. The closure member 29 may readily be removed from the support 30 by merely lifting the same from the position of engagement. If the roller 22 is then permitted to draw the screen into the housing, the closure member 29 will be received upon the laterally projecting pins of the draw members 32 and 33.

After the closure member 29 is brought into engagement with the pins of the draw members 32 and 33, these members may be moved horizontally, bringing the laterally projecting pins into the housing I6. Because of the engagement of the closure member 29 with the pins of the draw members, the screen will also be withdrawn into the housing and completely removed from view. Thus when the screen is not in use, it may readily be completely withdrawn into the housing.

When it is desired to again use the screen, it is necessary only to move the draw members 32 and 33 inwardly towards the window, thus bringing the closure member 29 and the pin 36 into an accessible position. The closure member 29 may then be removed from the pin 36 and joined to the support 30 in the manner already described.

It will be seen that simple and effective means are provided for substantial closing of the opening made by the raising of the window. The housing I6 fits snugly against the base I5 and the side members I I and I8 of the frame Ill. The slotted guide channels 24 and 25 receive the lateral edges of the screen from the housing I6 to the sash I I, and the closure member 29 completes the assembly.

My improved screen is readily mounted in ordinary windows of the type described. It is necessary only to mount the housing I6 on the base I5 and to attach the guide channels 24 and 25 to the side members I! and I8. Since the screen is not even visible when disconnected from the sash II, the housing I6 may, if desired, be permitted to remain permanently on the base I5. Moreover, the housing will not in any way interfere with the operation or use of the window.

Although I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the housing may be located beneath or within the frame I5. Various types of guide channels may be used to engage the lateral edges of the screen, and under many conditions it is possible to entirely dispense with the closure member 29. Although not shown or specifically described, these and other modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is intended to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as permissible, in View of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A window screen apparatus of the character described comprising a housing supported on the base of the window frame, a rotatable roller mounted within said housing, a flexible screen attached at one end to said roller and adapted to be received thereon upon rotation thereof, means for releasably attaching the other end of said screen to the lower window sash, and a retractable member in said housing for receiving the end of said screen when released from said sash.

2. A window screen apparatus of the character described comprising a housing supported on the base of the window frame, a rotatable roller mounted within said housing, a flexible screen attached at one end to said roller and adapted to be received thereon upon rotation thereof, means for releasably attaching the other end of said screen to the lower window sash, a member in said housing for engaging the end of said screen attached to said sash when the sash is in lowered position to release the screen from the sash, and means slidably mounted in said housing for supporting said member and for withdrawing the member and the screen received thereon into said housing.

3. A window screen apparatus of the character described comprising a housing supported on the base of the window frame, a rotatable roller mounted within said housing, a flexible screen attached at one end to said roller and adapted to be received thereon upon rotation thereof, a closure member on the other end of said screen, a support member adapted to be secured to the lower sash of the window and to releasably engage said closure member, means in said housing for continuously urging the rotation of said roller, draw pins in said housing arranged to receive said closure member and to release the same from said sash when the sash is in lowered position, and members in said housing for slidably supporting said pins, said members being manually movable to withdraw said pins and the closure member received thereon into said housing.

FOSTER G. MCGAW. 

